Shaun Murphy's Snooker Shoot Out 147 'more difficult' than Ronnie O'Sullivan's record-breaking maximum
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 08/12/2023 at 16:37 GMT
Shaun Murphy made history at the Shoot Out as he scored the first 147 in the tournament's history. The rapid maximum has been compared to some of the best of all time, along with the quickest-ever 147 by Ronnie O'Sullivan. Eurosport expert Jimmy White and Dominic Dale have given their views on where Murphy's maximum ranks in the all-time standings.
What is the greatest 147? White, Evans talk rankings with Murphy after his Shoot Out maximum
Dominic Dale believes Shaun Murphy's history-making 147 at the Shoot Out was "more difficult" than Ronnie's O'Sullivan's fastest-ever maximum.
Murphy shook off the pressure of the shot clock to make the first-ever 147 at the Shoot Out, clearing the table with well over two minutes of the match still remaining.
Mark Allen's 142 had previously held the record for the competition's highest break.
TV presenter Richard Osman said on X that he thinks Murphy’s maximum “should be fourth on the all-time list” behind Cliff Thorburn (first 147 at the World Championship), O’Sullivan (fastest 147 in snooker history in five minutes and eight seconds) and Stephen Hendry (in deciding frame of 1997 Charity Challenge final against O'Sullivan).
Asked how he ranks Murphy's 147 after beating him in the opening session of Friday's action at the Shoot Out, Dale said on Eurosport: "This is more difficult because there’s a lot of pressure.
"Any half mistake you make can cost you the match, there’s the audience [noise] too, so it doesn’t make things easy.
“It’s an incredible feat in a tournament like this. Shaun has made a lot of maximums but this has to be No. 1.”
Eurosport expert Jimmy White described Murphy's break as "absolutely amazing".
He said: “To do it in the Shoot Out with the shot clock and crowd…Ronnie’s 147 was absolutely amazing because of how quick it was, Thorburn because it was the first one at the Crucible.
"But I think we have to put Shaun’s second in the all-time 147 because of the situation.”
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/12/08/3840278-78038488-2560-1440.png)
Murphy reflects on 'completely bonkers' 147 at Shoot Out
Former world champion and world number one Neil Robertson took to X to say Murphy's 147 cannot compete with ones done in finals of prestigious events.
He said on X: "Great buzz for Shaun this and a fun tournament. But don’t compare things done in a circus to that which have been achieved in finals and at the crucible when things are really on the line. I guess Hendry’s against Ronnie 8 each in a decider in a final is 3rd by this logic."
Murphy couldn't find the same level as he did the previous evening as he was beaten 46-44 by Dale.
Speaking before the match, he revealed that he was given a standing ovation on his way back into the players’ lounge following his 147 on Thursday evening.
“That was nice,” he said.
“We are in this social media age when everyone is interacting but the respect of your peers is the biggest credit you can get.”
Asked how he would rank his break in the all-time list, he added: “I have no idea, to be in the conversation is grand.
“I think that’s for other people to rank it.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/12/07/3839862-78030173-2560-1440.jpg)
'Phenomenal achievement' - Murphy makes first maximum 147 break at Shoot Out
“It was completely bonkers. Absolutely incredible. No-one was more surprised than me. It was amazing.”
Murphy's maximum was the eighth of his career.
"Honestly one of the best things I've ever seen in snooker. Simply ridiculous," wrote Mark Allen on X.
- - -
Stream the 2023 Snooker Shoot Out and more top snooker action live and on-demand on discovery+ and eurosport.co.uk
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement